Tetris has one of the most fascinating origin stories in gaming. Created in 1984 by Soviet programmer Alexey Pajitnov, it became a global phenomenon that transcended borders and politics.

Humble Beginnings

Pajitnov created Tetris on an Electronika 60 computer while working at the Dorodnitsyn Computing Centre in Moscow. The game was inspired by a traditional puzzle game called pentominoes, where players arrange geometric shapes.

The Name

The name “Tetris” combines “tetra” (Greek for four, referring to the four squares in each piece) and “tennis,” Pajitnov’s favorite sport. The game was originally called “Genetic Engineering” but was quickly renamed.

Spreading Beyond Borders

Due to Soviet restrictions, Pajitnov couldn’t profit from his creation. The game spread through academic networks and eventually reached the West, where it was ported to numerous platforms without proper licensing.

The Licensing Battle

The rights to Tetris became the subject of a complex legal battle involving Nintendo, Atari, and the Soviet government. Nintendo eventually secured the handheld rights, bundling Tetris with the Game Boy – a decision that helped make the Game Boy a massive success.

Space Travel

In 1993, Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Serebrov played Tetris on a Game Boy during a mission aboard the Mir space station, making it the first video game played in space.

Cultural Impact

Tetris became a cultural phenomenon, appearing in movies, TV shows, and even inspiring psychological studies about its addictive nature. The game has sold over 500 million copies across all platforms.

Today, Tetris remains one of the best-selling and most recognizable games in history, proving that great game design transcends language, culture, and politics.